A female zookeeper in Florida was seriously injured when a rhinoceros struck her in the stomach.Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens Executive Director Tony Vecchio says the zookeeper was hurt by the rhino’s horn during a “routine training session” Tuesday morning.Tom Francis with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department says she was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. WJXT reports the woman was alert and able to speak.Vecchio says the rhino, 50-year-old Archie, remained in his enclosure the entire time and the public was never in danger. He says zookeepers conduct routine training with the animals to prepare them for medical exams. “The training is pretty hands-on, although there's always a safety barrier between the keeper and the animal," Vecchio said. "Keepers know to treat every animal as if it's potentially dangerous."Vertical and horizontal bars stand between the keeper and the rhino during training.Archie was welcomed to the zoo in 1975. Vecchio said Archie is known to have a good disposition and to be easy to work with. Aside from elephants, rhinos are the largest animals at the zoo. Vecchio said staff will investigate Tuesday's incident and make recommendations about how to improve safety in the future.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Video from ﻿WJXT﻿) —

A female zookeeper in Florida was seriously injured when a rhinoceros struck her in the stomach.

Vecchio says the rhino, 50-year-old Archie, remained in his enclosure the entire time and the public was never in danger. He says zookeepers conduct routine training with the animals to prepare them for medical exams.

“The training is pretty hands-on, although there's always a safety barrier between the keeper and the animal," Vecchio said. "Keepers know to treat every animal as if it's potentially dangerous."

Vertical and horizontal bars stand between the keeper and the rhino during training.

Archie was welcomed to the zoo in 1975. Vecchio said Archie is known to have a good disposition and to be easy to work with. Aside from elephants, rhinos are the largest animals at the zoo.

Vecchio said staff will investigate Tuesday's incident and make recommendations about how to improve safety in the future.